MPs falling asleep in Parliament
She said MPs who were earning around R800 000 a year were falling asleep in Parliament.

She suggested that MP's hold community meetings once a month in their provinces to update the people on what they have done.

"Are you not surprised that there are no textbooks?... Imali idliwe [the money has been spent]."

She was referring to claims that some schools in the Eastern Cape and Limpopo had still not received textbooks for the 2013 academic year.

The South African Human Rights Commission is investigating the matter.

Agang called for a ban on government officials and their immediate families doing business with the state.

The petition said that government officials should publish their financial disclosure forms annually.

Ramphele said she would be practising the same transparency with her members.

'Good leader leads by example'
"When Agang launches in June, its members will disclose all they have, including their bonds and so-forth. I will also be doing it as well ... A good leader leads by example," she said.

Ramphele called for the protection of whistle-blowers.

She said whistle-blowing on wrong-doers should not be seen as a career killer but as a career builder.

She called for an open and honest government and said her party was taking a stand against government shortfalls.

"...You [government] have dislodged a rock called the citizens and you will be crushed, " she said.

"The people will govern this country as it has been envisaged."

Ramphele said people had been patient and had waited far too long for education, employment and basic services.

"After 19 years of waiting, it's over."

'We deserve better'
She called for an end to abuse, corruption and unaccountability in government.

"We deserve better, we deserve an economy that creates jobs, creates a good health care system ... that we can be proud of," said Ramphele.

After the address, members of the nine-week old party, including Ramphele, went out into Soweto to collect signatures from the public for their petition.

"The more people we sign up, the stronger we'll be. The more citizens we get to sign, those in power will be unable to ignore us," she said. – Sapa